Hawaii Democrats recommend 3 for US Senate seat

The meeting included some lighter moments as longshot candidates took turns pleading their cases.

Timothy Hogan, the first candidate to speak, said he was a party faithful who would not run again in 2014. He said he wanted to serve as a "caretaker" for the seat for the party.

A woman who had called into the meeting by phone responded: "What about the seniority of the seat, you idiot," which drew gasps, laughs and calls from the audience to ask those who called in to mute their lines.

Another candidate, Antonio Gimbernat, called in from Maui and described himself as 44 years old, heterosexual, single with no kids and someone who likes to surf and play the ukulele. He said he has been sober for 12 years.